Benzodiazepine treatment of alcohol withdrawal
Depending upon the clinical setting and the patient circumstances, there are several accept¬able regimens for treating alcohol withdrawal that make use of benzodiazepines. These drugs remain the medication class of choice for treat¬ing alcohol withdrawal. The early recognition of alcohol withdrawal and prompt administra¬tion of a suitable benzodiazepine usually will prevent the withdrawal reaction from proceed¬ing to serious consequences. Patients suspected of alcohol withdrawal should be seen promptly by a primary care provider (physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant) who has expe¬rience in diagnosing and managing alcohol withdrawal. Practitioners are reminded that benzodiazepines have side effects and limita¬tions. These limitations are far more prominent when treating alcohol withdrawal in an outpa¬tient setting.